NCJ Number
115910
Date Published
1988
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews the literature on social and psychological factors associated with inhalant use among youth.
Abstract
Overall, inhalant use among adolescents indicate that they tend to be young, are more likely to be male, and to be from ethnic minorities. Peer influences appear to be critical to inhalant use: a large percentage of users' peers and siblings also use inhalants. Inhalant use appears to be more prevalent among certain census tracts than others, suggesting an influence of socioeconomic and/or community factors. Disrupted family structure and poor family relationships are almost always found among chronic inhalant users. Some studies have found inhalant users to score high on measures of schizophrenia, psychopathic deviance, and mania. Compared to marijuana users, inhalant users are more anxious and depressed, feel less socially accepted, and experience greater anger. In addition, inhalant users are more likely than others to show educational problems and poor academic performance. Studies also suggest differences among inhalant users of differing age groups (young and older adolescents and inhalant dependent adults). At all ages, they are likely to be social rejects, the emotionally disturbed, disadvantaged minorities, maladjusted, angry, and alienated. Also, at every age, inhalant use is associated with a very high general level of drug involvement for that age, suggesting potentially serious emotional and/or social adjustment problems. 7 tables, 1 footnote, and 67 references.